Whoshing

[Andren]

Could a "whoshing" noise it right ear be attributed to high ICP?

I was diagnosed with hydrocephalus 6 years ago (I am 34).  I have had this noise from a little kid until I had a VP shunt (I had an ETVprior to this).  The whooshing noise went away immediately after the placement of the shunt.  I eventually had the shunt removed and the noise was not there.  It has been approx. 3 years since the shunt was removed.  A month ago the noise returned.

[Andren]

I have had a carotid ultrasound, MRA, MRV--all negative.  The sound in louder and I am now experiencing a worse headaches when doing yoga, etc.  I do have chronic headaches.  I saw my NS recently and my opening pressure (I have a ventricular port) was 16.  How do you a gauge an accurate reading?  Can it be based on a five minute port tap??  It just doesn't make sense.  Thank you for your help.

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,

Thanks for writing in.
Pulsatile tinnitus or whooshing sound as you describe in the ear can be due to raised ICP. However it can also arise from a blood vessel near the ear drum. It can also occur due to vascular tumors, aberrant carotid artery or an enlarged jugular vein.
Please get yourself evaluated by an experienced physician. Take care!

[jadiee_x]

hi i have a VP shunt, i recently had it revised and for about 2 weeks i had a whooshing sound in my head which was very hard to describe to the doctors.
i went from a low pressure shunt o a high pressure shunt, i think it was from where myt head used to a large amount of fluid strolling along up there and all of a sudden since the high pressure shunt was placed, its all gone and now there much less up there giving it more room to swoosh around, over the few weeks i believe its gradually slowed down therefore the fluid is building up a bit as im not getting my low pressure headaches now.


i still have my VP shunt and i dont know life with one, so im unable to help you out here, youre lucky to have had it removed, i dont know of any cases like that!! =D

good luck xx